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Joseph Nguyen

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The mission in Fallujah was demanding and non-stop. Joseph Nguyen was getting very little sleep and trying to mentally process the fact that little kids were being recruited to throw grenades at the Marines. IED's were a big problem and he survived eight blasts before the tour was over. (Caution: strong language) (3:50)

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The last IED was the worst. Joseph Nguyen had seen something at that spot in the road but nothing happened the first time they passed over it. It was on the return trip that it was triggered. Two of his buddies would not be going home. (Caution: strong language) (5:26)

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In what little down time there was the Marines could gamble or have goofy challenges like drinking a gallon of milk. As a Vietnamese-American, Joseph Nguyen was very aware of the comparisons of the Iraq war to the Vietnam war. His heart went out to the kids playing in the horrific streets of Fallujah. (Caution: strong language) (5:34)

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Coming home was both good and bad. Good because you were there but bad because other guys didn't make it. For Joseph Nguyen, the psychiatrists were no help at all. Volunteering for Toys For Tots went a lot further in helping him cope. (Caution: strong language) (4:30)

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Before he wanted to be a Marine, Joseph Nguyen wanted to be a firefighter. When he had enough of the killing, he made that first dream happen in a Texas town. (Caution: strong language) (4:35)

Joseph Poquiz

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His family had its share of Marines and sailors. Joseph Poquiz came from a background of appreciation for the opportunity you have in America. He decided that it was in the medical field that he could do his best service to others. (3:37)

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For Joseph Poquiz, life changed forever on September 11, 2001. The entire baseball team at his high school wanted to enlist in the Marines. He had already decided on the medical field. "That's a Corpsman," one of the guys said. He started running and getting in shape. (6:07)

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He had been through Navy basic training and the first school for Corpsmen. For Joseph Poquiz, it was almost like learning a new language. He learned how to "sweep" the body and locate any injury. The next stop was the Field Medical Service School, which was like basic all over again, harder even. (8:10)

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After completing his training as a Navy Corpsman, Joseph Poquiz was attached to the 3rd Marine Division in Hawaii. They were destined for Iraq after some field exercises. On his first night in the desert, he was amazed at all the stars. On his first day at the forward base, they were hit with an IED. (6:57)

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When Corpsman Joseph Poquiz got to Iraq with his Marine unit, he quickly found out that his medical kit made him a target. He split it up and concealed it, adapting like he was taught. The insurgents made IED's from a huge array of old munitions and detonation devices including one made from discarded IV tubing. (5:52)